Giants Cruz leaves game with bruised heel, expected to be OK for opener

New York Post | Aug 19

After only three plays last night the Giants had two players heading inside for X-rays. It was that kind of evening for the Giants who lost receiver Victor Cruz and center David Baas early in their 20-12 preseason loss to the Colts.

There were some tense moments before the X-rays came back negative but that doesn’t mean the Giants got out unscathed. Cruz has what the Giants are calling a bruised heel and offered no time frame for his return. It is quite likely he is done for the preseason.

“He runs to make his living and he obviously has an issue with his heel’’ coach Tom Coughlin said. “Hopefully it’s not going to be a long thing.”

Baas’ left knee injury has been initially diagnosed as a sprained medial collateral ligament usually a three-to-five-week injury making it unlikely he will be available for the Sept. 8 season-opener in Dallas. That could start an offensive line chain reaction that moves Kevin Boothe to center David Diehl to left guard and rookie Justin Pugh to right tackle.

“Anytime you lose some starters in a game there’s always some concern’’ Eli Manning said. “I don’t know the status of the injuries or how serious but hopefully those guys can bounce back quickly.’’

In addition to the two offensive starters defensive end Justin Tuck came away with a slightly strained hamstring.

Manning said he hoped seeing Cruz back on the sideline “fairly quickly’’ was an indication “somewhat of good news.’’ Hakeem Nicks said he thought the Giants were simply being “cautious’’ with Cruz. “I don’t think it was anything too serious’’ Nicks said.

Cruz and Baas were long gone from the locker room not long after the game.

It appeared both got hurt on the same play the third of the game a deep pass from Manning to Cruz with Cruz covered by safety Antoine Bethea and cornerback Greg Toler. The bass fell incomplete but Bethea was called for pass interference a 39-yard penalty.

It looked as if Baas got his left leg rolled up while pass blocking. Cruz did not appear to get tangled with either Colts defender on the play.

During the offseason Cruz signed a six-year contract worth nearly $46 million. He has been an ironman with the Giants staying healthy and on the field and it remains to be seen how long his bruised heel will keep him out.